Lawmakers in Switzerland, home to FIFA and the IOC, have "broadened money laundering laws to include sports officials," according to Tariq Panja of BLOOMBERG. Parliament said the law, which expands the term “politically exposed person” to include sports officials and members of intergovernmental organizations, was passed on Friday by a vote of 128 to 62. Switzerland, "one of the world’s largest offshore financial centers," is home of FIFA. The IOC and UEFA are also “among more than 60 sports organizations based in Switzerland.” Former FIFA governance adviser Mark Pieth said, “This is definitely an advance. If Mr. Blatter turns up millions he will have to explain how he earned them.” The legislation comes in the “wake of a series of corruption scandals that have tarnished the image” of FIFA. Pieth said proposals for new anti-bribery legislation that would make bribes paid or received by private individuals or companies a criminal act could have an “even bigger effect” on the football organization than Friday’s vote. Pieth: “They are saying, ‘Put it plainly in the criminal code and make prosecution mandatory.’ The real FIFA Law is actually going to come in January or February” (BLOOMBERG, 12/12).
